The Department of Health (DOH) announced on Saturday, March 13, the detection of the first case of P.1 or the Brazilian variant of the coronavirus in the country.

The DOH said the case involved a returning overseas Filipino (ROF) from Brazil.

“Additional information about the case is currently being investigated,” the DOH said in a statement.

“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is evidence to suggest that transmissibility and the ability of antibodies generated through previous infection is affected by some mutations of this variant,” it added.

Meanwhile, 59 new cases positive for the B.1.1.7 variant (United Kingdom), and 32 additional cases of the B.1.351 (South African) variant were found in the country, the DOH said.

“Of the additional 59 B.1.1.7 variant cases, 30 are local cases, 18 are ROFs, and 11 are currently being verified if they are local or ROF cases,” the DOH said.

Sixteen of the local cases were from the Cordillera Administrative Region, 10 were from the National Capital Region, two were from Central Luzon, and two were from Calabarzon, the DOH said.

The total number of the B.1.1.7 cases in the country rose to 177.

The DOH also noted that of the 32 B.1.351 variant cases, “21 are local cases, one is an ROF, and 10 are still being verified as to location.”

Nineteen of the local cases were from Metro Manila, and one case each from Cagayan Valley, and Northern Mindanao, the DOH said.

The total number of B.1.351 cases in the country stood at 90.

“The DOH emphasizes that correct and consistent adherence to the minimum public health standards will prevent the transmission of these variants,” the agency said.

“Further, the DOH strongly urges all local government units (LGUs) to facilitate and implement necessary interventions to mitigate the continued increase in the number of cases,” it added.